By Diane Groulx and Albert Lightstone
One of the perks of writing the blogs on our artistic community is that you meet the most interesting people and learn something at the same time. Case in point, my chat with this show’s Spotlight Gallery in the Janigan Studio artist, Diane Groulx. Not only is she a prolific painter, as is evident from the large selection of work hanging in the foyer, but she has one of the oldest connections with the theatre dating back all the way to the 1960s pre the great fire of 1970!
Let’s get started and find out a little bit about Diane, her life and her work.
First tell me about yourself. Where are you from originally? What did you study?
I am woman, a sister, an aunt, a care-giver, a good friend, a practicing Roman Catholic and, I believe, a good artist in Fine-Arts. From Aylmer, QC. I attended the usual studies with nuns. And then as real life took hold, I supplemented with administrative/business courses over a 35-year span (including U. of Ottawa – two years night courses for a certification in Industrial Relations), and attended numerous fine art courses, workshops and conventions.
How did you end up in Ottawa?
Born and raised in Aylmer, QC (Gatineau), just a river crossing from Ottawa, I worked in Ottawa all of my wage-earning life at different administrative work in a banking environment; not far, in fact, from Ottawa Little Theatre. I now earn $ from art classes and art sales.
You paint full time and teach water colour and other media techniques. Was this always the case or is it just post-retirement?
I was the child who got picked by the nuns to draw on the blackboard for all special occasions, i.e. Christmas, Easter, etc.… I never stopped and got my first taste of actual oil painting on canvas, in my early teenage years. Unfortunately I stopped painting as my wage-earning life took hold. Painting filled too much of my nighttime. However, it did not stop me from expressing myself through other art-crafting-designing media; wool, material, and so on…
Took an early pension and, as I say in French, “J’ai du gagné mon pain pour enfin gagné mon vin”. Retirement is not in my vocabulary. And I finally embarked fulltime on my first love as an artist with pencils, pen, brushes, paper, canvas, and the list goes on.
Where did you study art?
Never took university or college art classes. However, as a self-taught artist I took numerous courses and workshops, learned from books, magazines, TV art shows, art exhibitions, art gallery visits and most of all learned from artist friends and colleagues. … Became involved in numerous art groups et voilà ….. Drawing, pen and ink, oil, acrylics, mixed-media and watercolour, I’ve managed to go through their particular challenges and loved the ongoing process of learning through many years of never giving up.
When did you first embark on your path as an artist?
Difficult to say. Do you mean as a serious exhibiting artist and teacher or as an artist? In most artists’ life span, art is in your heart and mind from a very early age.
I’ve seen and have been impressed by watercolour paintings. In your own words how would you describe this method of painting compared to others?
Thank you. From my own perspective, watercolour is the most gratifying of all media and most difficult if you do not let water become your enemy. Your paper is your only white available to you. I find that the light shines best through the cycle of water. It’s a challenge and I love challenges. It also best expresses my emotions off the cuff and is, on its practical side, the best medium to bring for short or long trips outside your studio.
You are a member of the Ottawa Watercolour Society (OWS). What is that?
OWS is/was a group of artists dedicated to transparent watercolour media; as opposed to other water-soluble media such as gouache, inks, acrylic, casein, and others. I underline transparent because the medium is a bit unforgiving. As I said, your paper is your white at all times. The OWS is now disbanded as an official group due to lack of executive volunteers.
OWS was the second art association that I became involved with in mid-late 1990s after Aylmer Arts Council, and in both, I took numerous positions from treasurer to president.
I’m also a member of Arteast, Visual Arts of Gatineau – VAG (which used to be Aylmer Arts Council), Ottawa Mixed-Media Association, and I was also a member of Nepean Fine Arts League (discontinued for lack of executive volunteers), Kanata Arts Association, etc., etc.
You enjoy using different media. What are they and how are they used?
Beyond watercolour, I also enjoy using acrylics, mixed-media “things” and pen and ink… I had to give up my friends the oils due to health issues. On canvases large or miniature, paper and plastic, brushes and sticks, and any other material that I need to show not only my creative journey but more importantly my vision.
How are you inspired?
How or what inspires me? A question often asked and my answer remains the same from the beginning of my journey as an artist. Outside of my own imaginary world and life experiences, I would say it’s a combination of everyday life in general; landscape changes, day-to-day routines, world happenings and, most importantly, the emotional drive that I happen to live with at the moment.
What’s the actual process in developing a piece?
Ouch….. It’s sometimes easy and sometimes a bit arduous. It depends on how you want to bring your creative juices alive and the medium you choose. It all works out if you have a clear vision of the final touches of your art piece. Do they actually add or distract from what you want to convey and so on. I question myself to the end.
Any background stories on some of the art that is here on display?
Most have a story to tell through time and many travels. The tractor in Lancaster countryside in Pennsylvania reminds me of my great-grandfather’s in his barn. The moody sky from the Laurentians, the crunch of steps over fallen leaves and smells of autumn, the great vistas of our own Gatineau Hills, the emotions of dire climate changes, and so on…..
You teach watercolour and mixed media. What’s it like teaching someone who is extremely talented versus someone who is, say, not so great? Are there any interesting anecdotal stories you can tell?
To tell you the truth, they are both equally demanding but on different levels. The talented ones want specific tricks of the trade right now, and are not the most attentive group to teach. They like to share their own experiences during class …. Some with good reason. As for the “coming-out-artists”, they want everything at once and are very impatient waiting for immediate results. However, they are like sponges who love to absorb all that is offered to them; they are very grateful when you share your experiences, your foibles and give free material as needed…
How did you come to be interviewed in the Ottawa Citizen and Radio Canada?
I have been responsible for many exhibitions. As an active representative of many art events through the years, I had the opportunity to be interviewed individually and/or as the voice for groups of exhibiting artists. A few of my artworks appeared in the Citizen quite a while ago. Radio Canada recently interviewed me (August 2023) regarding the annual art show of the Visual Arts of Gatineau, at the Pierre-Debain Gallery, Centre Culturel du Vieux-Aylmer. I have been responsible for this themed/juried exhibition for many years and it is part of the City of Gatineau sponsored shows. Solo events have taken place, among others, at the old Chelsea Gallery, Théâtre de l’Île in Hull, Hilton Double-Tree Hotel ….
What’s your connection with the OLT?
Would you believe that my first encounter with the theatre was in the sixties (before the fire in 1970) with my boyfriend of the time; British-born, Canadian-French upbringing, literate and madly involved with theatre and movies of the time. I, unfortunately, don’t remember the play.
I reconnected with OLT, off and on through the years and through my membership in the Ottawa Art Association, an organization which used the premises (all corridors) of OLT as an exhibition area for its members – it was fabulous.
How did you come about showcasing your work in the Janigan Studio?
Through many years of exhibiting my art with the Ottawa Art Association and other venues, I left my name with Venetia to say I was interested when the space was available to individual artists.
In your email to me you mentioned that you had left your website available for the youth. What do you mean by that?
In mid-2000 – or was it earlier? I forget – websites for artists were just at their beginning and I had a friend who wanted to start and actually started somewhat very badly my website. Did he finish… ? And I felt restricted by its confined rules at the time … I did not feel free to just do my art as I saw fit. I had the impression that I was required to please everyone in order to sell. I understand that you need to “go out there and be recognized as a known selling professional artist and so on” but I’m weary of the expansion of social media, albeit that it’s a great selling tool. I’m probably missing out. I’ll leave it to the young generation of artists. But I still like to sell once in a while. It’s rather gratifying knowing that someone appreciated your work for their home or for a gift.
Are the works for sale?
Yes
Diane, on behalf of the OLT thank you for displaying with us and for your support over the decades.
If you would like to contact Diane, she can be reached at dianegroulxartiste@videotron.ca
